Investigation Into Incident at 10808 West Bellfort

November 17, 2010 - Houston police are investigating an incident in which a Houston police officer discharged his duty weapon at an armed robbery suspect following a robbery at 10808 West Bellfort about 1:30 a.m. today (Nov. 17).

The male suspect suffered a non-life threatening injury to his chin and was transported to Ben Taub General Hospital.  His identity, along with the identity of the other three suspects involved, is pending an ongoing investigation by the HPD Homicide and Robbery Divisions.  They remain in custody.   

Lieutenant S. F. Casko, who discharged his duty weapon, was not injured in this incident.  Lt. Casko, who is assigned to the Gang Division, was sworn in as an officer in February 1991.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeants K. Tolls, C. Cegielski, J. Brooks and Senior Police Officer B. Evans reported:

Four armed male suspects approached the Monopoly Amusement Gameroom at the above location and attempted to rob those inside.  An armed security guard stopped the robbery attempt and was able to detain one of the suspects.  The three remaining suspects fled in a pickup truck and were pursued by responding patrol officers.  After a vehicle pursuit, two suspects were taken into custody while the remaining suspect, armed with a gun, fled on foot.  After a foot pursuit, the suspect confronted Lt. Casko and ignored orders to surrender and drop the weapon.  When the suspect raised his weapon at Lt. Casko, the lieutenant, feared for his safety and discharged his duty weapon at the suspect, who again fled on foot and into a warehouse parking lot.

The HPD Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) responded to the scene and, after several hours of negotiations, took the suspect into custody without further incident.

As is customary in HPD officer-involved shootings in the city limits, this case is being investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions, and the Harris County District Attorney's Office.



VHS/JFC 11-17-10
Inc. #161868210

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